阿客保
Natural and Holistic Therapy
Comprehensive Holistic Therapy that
is Good for Health and Fitness
CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
What is Chinese Medicine?
Chinese
Herbal Medicine is one of the great herbal systems of the world, with an
unbroken tradition going back to the 3rd century BC.
Yet throughout its history it has continually developed in response to
changing clinical conditions, and has been sustained by research into
every aspect of its use. This process continues today with the
development of modern medical diagnostic techniques and knowledge.
Because of its systematic approach and clinical effectiveness it has for
centuries had a very great influence on the theory and practice of
medicine in the East, and more recently has grown rapidly in popularity
in the West. It still forms a major part of healthcare provision in
China, and is provided in state hospitals alongside western medicine.
Chinese medicine includes all oriental traditions emerging from
Southeast Asia that have their origins in China.
Practitioners may work within a tradition that comes from Japan,
Vietnam, Taiwan or Korea. It is a complete medical system that is
capable of treating a very wide range of conditions. It includes herbal
therapy, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and exercises in breathing and
movement (tai chi and qi gong). Some or several of these may be employed
in the course of treatment.
Chinese Herbal Medicine, along with the other components of Chinese
medicine, is based on the concepts of Yin and Yang. It aims to
understand and treat the many ways in which the fundamental balance and
harmony between the two may be undermined and the ways in which a
person's Qi or vitality may be depleted or blocked. Clinical strategies
are based upon diagnosis of patterns of signs and symptoms that reflect
an imbalance.
However, the tradition as a whole places great emphasis on lifestyle
management in order to prevent disease before it occurs. Chinese
medicine recognises that health is more than just the absence of disease
and it has a unique capacity to maintain and enhance our capacity for
well being and happiness.
Herbal Medicine and Modern Pharmacology
There is a growing body of research which indicates that traditional
uses of plant remedies and the known pharmacological activity of plant
constituents often coincide. However, herbal medicine is distinct from
medicine based on pharmaceuticals. Firstly, because of the
complexity of plant materials it is far more balanced than medicine
based on isolated active ingredients and is far less likely to cause
side-effects. Secondly, because herbs are typically prescribed in
combination, the different components of a formulae balance each other,
and they undergo a mutual synergy which increases efficacy and enhances
safety. Thirdly, herbal medicine seeks primarily to correct internal
imbalances rather than to treat symptoms alone, and therapeutic
intervention is designed to encourage this self-healing process.
What can Chinese Medicine treat?
Chinese medicine is successfully used for a very wide range of
conditions. Among the more commonly treated disorders are:
• Skin disease, including eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, urticaria
• Gastro-intestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome,
chronic constipation, ulcerative colitis
• Gynaecological conditions, including pre-menstrual syndrome and
dysmenorrhoea, endometriosis, infertility
• Hepatitis and HIV: some promising results have been obtained for
treatment of Hepatitis C, and supportive treatment may be beneficial in
the case of HIV
• Chronic fatigue syndromes, whether with a background of viral
infection or in other situations
• Respiratory conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic
coughs, allergic and perennial rhinitis and sinusitis
• Rheumatological conditions (e.g. osteoarthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis)
• Urinary conditions including chronic cystitis
• Psychological problems (e.g. depression, anxiety)
• Children's diseases
Many of these conditions, especially in their chronic forms, create
great difficulty for conventional medicine, whilst Chinese Herbal
Medicine has a great deal to offer. The results that can be expected and
the length of treatment required will depend on the severity of the
condition, its duration, and the general health of the patient.
Who can have treatment?
Chinese medicine can be used by people of any age or constitution. Your
practitioner will take any previous or current illness or medication
into account before providing treatment. With suitable adjustments for
dosage and with some provisos which will be determined by your
practitioner, children and pregnant women can very well be treated by
Chinese medicine.
What are the herbs like and how much will they cost?
Herbs are now available in a number of formats, both traditional and
modern. The traditional method is to boil a mixture of dried herbs to
make a tea or to use pills. The herbs are also now commonly prescribed
as freeze dried powders or tinctures. The herbs will at first taste
unusual and often bitter to anyone who has not tried them before, but
the vast majority of people get used to the taste very quickly.
There are no standard prices for treatment or herbs. This will depend on
the individual practitioner and the part of the country you are in. You
should enquire about charges when making your appointment. Many private
health insurance companies are now covering acupuncture and a few will
also pay for herbal treatment. You should contact your insurance company
to check.
Are herbs safe?
Chinese herbs are very safe when prescribed correctly by a properly
trained practitioner. Over the centuries doctors have compiled detailed
information about the pharmacopoiea and placed great emphasis on the
protection of the patient. Adverse reactions can occur with any form of
medicine. In the case of Chinese herbal medicine these are rare.
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